Friday, May 14, 2010

If you’ve been reading my blog very long or know much about me, you already know where I stand on the political side of the fence. I don’t discuss it here much. Not because I’m shy. Or because I want to avoid conflict. Ya’ll know better than that.

But with some of the things going on in our nation right now, it’s hard to be quiet. It’s hard to let the squeaky wheels squeak without wanting to squeak back, even when the right thing to do is let them squeak themselves out. Because you know what happens to squeaks? They drive you nuts. And they eventually break, you finally fix them, or learn to ignore them. Since it’s primary season in our area, there’s a lot of squeaking going on.

But just for kicks and giggles, let me tell you a story. Here’s how it goes:

Once upon a time, there were some people who were trying to live their dreams. They worked hard. They sacrificed. They did the best they could to give their families a better life than they had known. The government, however, made things difficult for them. The people were forced to buy things they didn’t want to buy, were over-taxed for those same things, and were punished if they didn’t follow the rules. Except that if you were “special”, you didn’t have to follow the rules. The people also didn’t receive proper representation in their government, for what representation was there turned a deaf ear to their pleas for help. Some were optimistic, thinking that the government would, indeed, finally listen and rectify the problems facing them. Others, however, felt the only answer was to stand up to the government and not take any more crap. Both sides were equally passionate. Most people stood somewhere in the middle, not wanting the oppression of the government, yet wanting its support at the same time.

Sound familiar?

No, I’m not talking about America in 2010. I’m talking about America in 1775.

The events that led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence were long and tedious. They were also tragic. Boston was attacked by its own government’s army. Many men (and boys) were killed, and harbors were blockaded to shut down trade and commerce before the American Continental Congress decided that enough was enough.

But they also knew that “enough” meant “more”. More lives. More sacrifice. More hardship. More time. More freedom. More liberty. You see, the freedom and liberty part – that’s what it was all about to them. They were not opposed to government, but desired a government that allowed for equal representation and freedom of its people, not oppression and stupid rules that made no sense. The British called it rebellion. The Americans called it revolution.

I believe that we stand at such a crossroads again in America. I don’t think it’s time to overthrow the government, but I do believe it’s time for the people to decide that enough is enough. It’s time to stop with our intense, burning apathy toward the way our country is run as long as we are ok in our own little bubble. It’s time to think about the good of the entire country again, not just ourselves or a certain few groups of people. Special interest should be everyone’s interest. It’s time to send a message to all of our representatives that their shenanigans will not be tolerated and if they don’t listen to and properly represent us, they will be out of a job.

There are already Americans who have decided to do something about it. They have decided enough is enough, are speaking out against the things they believe are wrong, and are ready to make them right. They are ready for revolution. Others are calling it rebellion.

No matter where you stand on the issues, there is one important thing you should remember. Though not everyone agreed with the Continental Congress’s decision to declare independence, in the long run, everyone benefited from it. What the few (and later the many) were willing to sacrifice ended up being a reward for everyone, whether they stood with them in the fight or not.

So no matter where you stand on the issues, if you want to fight, stand up and fight. Get squeaky. If you don’t, then don’t. But if you don’t care to fight, stay out of the way of those who do. And you’d better not complain if you’re not willing to jump in the fray. Because the hard work and sacrifice of the people who are willing to get their hands dirty will probably be a good thing for you, whether you recognize it now or not.